The views expressed in this piece are strictly my own and aren’t meant to influence anyone. I read an article today about a war of words between Stan Van Gundy and Michael Wilbon. Mr. Van Gundy took exception to Mr. Wilbon stating that he heard rumblings that Van Gundy could be fired at the end of the season by the Orlando Magic. Mr. Wilbon had every right to state what he heard and Van Gundy who is in the public spotlight and subject to criticism should’ve taken it in stride but instead he decides to say that Wilbon has no integrity. Van Gundy went on to state that he doesn’t go on the show Pardon the Interruption because they only have guests that they don’t criticize on air. This is what draw my ire I watch the show religiously and they have had guests on that both hosts have criticized and some that are criticized on a daily basis.
Van Gundy should be fired because he can’t coach he blew the finals last year by putting Jameer Nelson in who was coming off a serious shoulder injury and his replacement was hot feeding the ball down low and hitting the open shot when needed. The Magic wouldn’t have beaten the Lakers but they would’ve been more competitive and he has also publicly dogged his players out in the media showing no respect for his own players. Wilbon’s job as a Sportswriter/TV host is to tell the good with the bad and also to give his views on what’s going on in sports. I love how Van Gundy questions Wilbon’s integrity while the local media in Florida has called for his job also. I forgot Van Gundy is a media hound who is looking to be in the spotlight anytime he is given a chance and doesn’t realize that it’s not about him but his team who has now made the series interesting against the Celtics.
Wilbon has taken the high road by explaining his comments on a sports radio station in Florida which he didn’t have to do. He has been in the business for a long time and has pissed of his share of players and coaches but everyone says what a great writer he is and show nothing but the utmost respect for him. Van Gundy on the other hand will keep whining and playing the victim role while relishing the spotlight he craves so bad. My question is Stan if you want to be in the spotlight so bad why not take the job as Ron Jeremy’s stand in while he tries to transition into mainstream acting because your coaching skills are average at best similar to Jeremy’s acting ability.
1 comment:
Van Gundy has alwasy had rabbit ears. He plays to the press, but if you are critical then you get if from both Van Gundys. I remember when his brother was coaching and playing the Bulls, he was alwasy jealous of the pub Phil Jackson got. Yes, Phil is a media whore too, but he did get 6 rings with the Bulls. So maybe they should just shutup and produce, that always shuts up the critics. But Van Gundy did call Jackson "Big Chief Triangle" which I thought was hilarious.
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